http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/09/content_7751602.htm
This article I read was dealing with China and their policy on terrorism. It discusses how lately China has been attacking first before anything happens. Wang Lequan, chief of the Xinjiang regional committee of the Communist Party of China said, ""We are prepared to strike them whenever they are found planning their activities." An example is that China have done to prevent terrorism is, Police smashed a terrorist gang in January in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, killing two and arresting 15 others, one year after they destroyed a terrorist training camp in the Pamir plateau, killing 18 terrorists and capturing 17. I wonder if this new counterterrorism actions could help China's and United States relations. However, I do question the real intent for China's actions. With the Olympic Games coming to China soon, I think that this new break down on terrorism, may not be for the purpose of cracking down on terrorist, but for economic purposes. Let me know what you guys think about this new China view on terrorist.
Thanks
Austin Conners
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3 comments:
I think the recent action against terrorists is in keeping with Chinese security standards and doubt that it will have any affect on US-Chinese relations. It seems the Chinese government has always been prepared to 'strike' whoever engages in 'activities' viewed as threatening to the state.(Including the recent roundup of internet abusers who questioned the government online.)I think that this crack down is more standard procedure than alignment with Western anti-terror ideals.
Also, the Chinese government seems reluctant to provide many details. This could conceivably be intended as a way to deny terrorists further media attention or it could be an effort to hide ulterior intentions to remove undesirable elements in the name of counter-terrorism. (Personally, I cannot see the connection between the attempted 'air disaster' and China's claim that it is an effort to sabotage the Olympics this summer.) It seems to me that if the Chinese government wanted to exploit the incident for economic purposes, it would do a better job of framing the scenario by exploiting more details.
I must concur, China has a real strict policy in regard to policing its own territory. I think it is more of a ply to remind any potential home grown terrorists that the consequences are death, and that any attempt to use terrorism will result in harsh punishment.
It also acts as a strong deterrent to any outside terrorist force because unlike the US having ROE to follow, and basically adhering to the Law of War, China has few qualms with torturing their enemies and preemptively striking even the slightest glimmer of opposition.
For all of the leanings towards the west that is one part of China that has not relented in recent years. This is only evidence that China is still a Communist nation, no matter how western they may appear on the surface.
China is preparing to host the Olympics this summer, and their efforts to counter terrosim may be viewed in this light. I am not sure about their intentions, but if I was in charge of hosting the Olympics, I would seek government action to make sure the participants and fans would be as safe as possible. Also, hosting the Olympics is a great opportunity for China to create some positive interaction with other nations. I think China will be on its best behavior from now until the end of the Games.
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